Patents by Inventor Sarah J. Vella

Sarah J. Vella has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20170148539
    Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a conductive polymer composite. The method includes forming a mixture. The mixture includes a first thermoplastic polymer, a second thermoplastic polymer and a plurality of metal particles. The first thermoplastic polymer and the second thermoplastic polymer are immiscible with each other. The plurality of metal particles include at least one metal that is immiscible with both the first thermoplastic polymer and the second thermoplastic polymer. The method includes heating the mixture to a temperature greater than or equal to a melting point of the metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Rachel Prestayko, Sarah J. Vella, Carolyn Moorlag, Barkev Keoshkerian, Jordan H. Wosnick
  • Patent number: 9630423
    Abstract: An ink-based digital printing system suitable for use with hydrophilic and/or aqueous dampening fluids includes an imaging member having an imaging member material that is hydrophilic at the imaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah J. Vella, Carolyn Moorlag
  • Publication number: 20170106586
    Abstract: A process including providing a curable gellant ink composition having a phase transition temperature; heating the ink composition to a temperature above the phase transition temperature; depositing the ink composition onto a substrate; wherein upon contact with the substrate the ink composition freezes to provide a gel ink layer; treating at least a portion of the gel ink layer whereby treated gellant ink reacts to form a three-dimensional object and wherein untreated gellant ink does not react and remains in gellant form; optionally, wherein the unreacted gellant ink provides a support structure for overhang portions of the three-dimensional object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Barkev Keoshkerian, Carolyn Moorlag, Edward G. Zwartz, Naveen Chopra, Marcel P. Breton, Sarah J. Vella
  • Patent number: 9597684
    Abstract: Provided is a method of patterning a substrate. The method includes depositing, in a first predetermined pattern, hydrophobic material on a first surface of a hydrophilic substrate. The method includes permeating the hydrophobic material through a thickness of the substrate without reflowing the deposited hydrophobic material. The method includes sufficiently solidifying the permeated hydrophobic material. The sufficiently solidified hydrophobic material forms a liquid-impervious barrier that separates the substrate into at least one discrete region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sarah J. Vella, Jennifer L. Belelie, Barkev Keoshkerian, James D. Mayo, Brynn Dooley, C. Geoffrey Allen
  • Patent number: 9586204
    Abstract: The present disclosure proposes a design of a biomedical paper sensor which can determine the concentration of biological materials in fluids such as blood, urine, and saliva. The sensor contains a plurality of axially radiating test zones, each test zone separated from other test zones by wax ink barriers formed by a process that produces thin walls. Each test zone can contain a unique test reagent, or a unique concentration of a test reagent, and can also be identified by printed text. The region of the device outside of the test zone area is printed with a uniform reference color. Benefits of the invention include increased accuracy in the measurement of the concentration of biological materials due to the larger test zone area. Benefits also include the integration of the reference or calibration color which simplifies the calibration needed for quantification of the concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Hong, Jing Zhou, Mandakini Kanungo, Xing Liu, Nancy Y. Jia, Sarah J. Vella, Laura Lu
  • Publication number: 20170052470
    Abstract: A delivery member for use in an image forming apparatus. The delivery member has a support member and a first layer disposed on the support member. The first layer includes a cross-linked elastomeric matrix, a stabilizing polymer comprising a polysiloxane backbone, and a functional material. Coating mixtures for preparing such delivery members having a first layer. Image forming apparatuses containing such delivery members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sarah J. Vella, Nan-Xing Hu, Yu Liu
  • Publication number: 20160274105
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide lateral flow and flow-through bioassay devices based on patterned porous media, methods of making same, and methods of using same. Under one aspect, an assay device includes a porous, hydrophilic medium; a fluid impervious barrier comprising polymerized photoresist, the barrier substantially permeating the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic medium and defining a boundary of an assay region within the porous, hydrophilic medium; and an assay reagent in the assay region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: George M. WHITESIDES, Scott T. PHILLIPS, Andres W. MARTINEZ, Manish J. BUTTE, Amy WONG, Samuel W. THOMAS, Hayat SINDI, Sarah J. VELLA, Emanuel CARRILHO, Katherine A. MIRICA, Yanyan LIU
  • Publication number: 20160207039
    Abstract: Provided is a method of patterning a substrate. The method includes depositing, in a first predetermined pattern, hydrophobic material on a first surface of a hydrophilic substrate. The method includes permeating the hydrophobic material through a thickness of the substrate. The method includes exposing the hydrophobic material to UV-light and sufficiently solidifying the permeated hydrophobic material. The sufficiently solidified hydrophobic material forms a liquid-impervious barrier that separates the substrate into at least one discrete region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Sarah J. Vella, Jennifer L. Belelie, Barkev Keoshkerian, James D. Mayo, Brynn Dooley
  • Publication number: 20160207038
    Abstract: Provided is a method of patterning a substrate. The method includes depositing, in a first predetermined pattern, hydrophobic material on a first surface of a hydrophilic substrate. The method includes permeating the hydrophobic material through a thickness of the substrate without reflowing the deposited hydrophobic material. The method includes sufficiently solidifying the permeated hydrophobic material. The sufficiently solidified hydrophobic material forms a liquid-impervious barrier that separates the substrate into at least one discrete region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Sarah J. Vella, Jennifer L. Belelie, Barkev Keoshkerian, James D. Mayo, Brynn Dooley, C. Geoffrey Allen
  • Publication number: 20160051980
    Abstract: The present disclosure proposes a design of a biomedical paper sensor which can determine the concentration of biological materials in fluids such as blood, urine, and saliva. The sensor contains a plurality of axially radiating test zones, each test zone separated from other test zones by wax ink barriers formed by a process that produces thin walls. Each test zone can contain a unique test reagent, or a unique concentration of a test reagent, and can also be identified by printed text. The region of the device outside of the test zone area is printed with a uniform reference color. Benefits of the invention include increased accuracy in the measurement of the concentration of biological materials due to the larger test zone area. Benefits also include the integration of the reference or calibration color which simplifies the calibration needed for quantification of the concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Hong, Jing Zhou, Mandakini Kanungo, Xing Liu, Nancy Y. Jia, Sarah J. Vella, Laura Lu
  • Patent number: 9193988
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide lateral flow and flow-through bioassay devices based on patterned porous media, methods of making same, and methods of using same. Under one aspect, an assay device includes a porous, hydrophilic medium; a fluid impervious barrier comprising polymerized photoresist, the barrier substantially permeating the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic medium and defining a boundary of an assay region within the porous, hydrophilic medium; and an assay reagent in the assay region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: George M. Whitesides, Scott T. Phillips, Andres W. Martinez, Manish J. Butte, Amy Wong, Samuel W. Thomas, Hayat Sindi, Sarah J. Vella, Emanuel Carrilho, Katherine A. Mirica, Yanyan Liu
  • Patent number: 9075325
    Abstract: A photoreceptor includes a substrate a charge generating layer disposed on the substrate and a charge transport layer disposed on the charge generating layer, the charge transport layer includes a hole transport molecule, a fluorinated diol, and a leveling agent, the charge transport layer is substantially free of a polymer binder and catalyst, and has a post-discharge voltage of less than about 10 volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory McGuire, Sarah J. Vella, Adrien P. Cote, Yvan Gagnon, Brynn Dooley
  • Patent number: 9046804
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photoconductive member and a delivery unit. The delivery unit is disposed in contact with a surface of the photoconductive member to apply a layer of functional materials to the surface of the photoconductive member, wherein a cylindrical axis of the delivery unit is angled with respect to a cylindrical axis of the photoconductive member to increase uniformity of the functional materials layer. An image forming apparatus an electrophotographic photoconductive member, a charging unit and a delivery unit disposed in contact with the surface of the charging unit, wherein the delivery unit applies a layer of functional materials to the surface of the photoconductive member. and a cylindrical axis of the delivery unit is angled with respect to a cylindrical axis of the charging unit to increase the uniformity of the functional materials layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Sarah J. Vella, Richard Andrew Klenkler, Johann Junginger
  • Publication number: 20150077500
    Abstract: An ink-based digital printing system suitable for use with hydrophilic and/or aqueous dampening fluids includes an imaging member having an imaging member material that is hydrophilic at the imaging surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sarah J. VELLA, Carolyn MOORLAG
  • Patent number: 8983356
    Abstract: There is described an image forming apparatus that includes an imaging member having a charge retentive-surface for developing an electrostatic latent image thereon. The imaging member includes a substrate and photoconductive member disposed on the substrate. The image forming apparatus includes a charging unit for applying an electrostatic charge on the imaging member to a predetermined electric potential wherein the charging unit is spaced from the photoconductive member a distance of from about 3 ?m to about 300 ?m. The image forming apparatus includes a delivery member in contact with the surface of the photoconductive member. The delivery member includes an elastomeric matrix impregnated with a liquid lubricant wherein the delivery member applies a layer of liquid lubricant to the surface of the photoconductor wherein in the layer has a thickness of from about 1 nm to about 15 nm during steady state operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Nan-Xing Hu, Sarah J. Vella
  • Publication number: 20150064614
    Abstract: A photoreceptor includes a substrate a charge generating layer disposed on the substrate and a charge transport layer disposed on the charge generating layer, the charge transport layer includes a hole transport molecule, a fluorinated diol, and a leveling agent, the charge transport layer is substantially free of a polymer binder and catalyst, and has a post-discharge voltage of less than about 10 volts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory McGuire, Sarah J. Vella, Adrien P. Cote, Yvan Gagnon, Brynn Dooley
  • Patent number: 8971764
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to image forming systems comprising imaging apparatus members and toner compositions. More specifically, the present embodiments relate to an improved BCR xerographic system comprising (1) a cleaning blade comprising a material having a certain Share A Hardness; (2) a photoreceptor having a surface with a specified Young's Modulus and; and (3) a toner lubricant additive. The combined system demonstrates a significant increase an overall service life of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Klenkler, Gregory McGuire, Sarah J. Vella, Guiqin Song, Yu Liu, Adrien P. Cote
  • Patent number: 8943961
    Abstract: A system and method are provided that incorporate a multi-layer plate configuration for a Digital Offset Plate (DOP) including at least a robust top imaging layer and a bottom layer that acts as a reservoir for the releasing oil in a proposed variable digital offset lithographic architecture. The top imaging layer may contain a small amount of oil (<20%) in a range suitable for allowing a small amount of oil to coat the surface and enable release of the ink. A bottom layer may be larger in volume and contain greater quantities (˜20-75%) of oil. Oil from the reservoir layer may diffuse to and through the top layer when the oil in the top surface layer is depleted in a manner that maintains a supply of oil at the surface. The top layer may act as a gate to maintain a steady flow of oil to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah J Vella, Carolyn Moorlag
  • Patent number: 8929767
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an electrophotographic photoconductive member, a charging unit, a delivery unit and a cleaning unit. The charging unit is disposed in contact with the surface of the photoconductive member and the delivery unit disposed in contact with the surface of the charging unit. The delivery unit applies a layer of functional material to a surface of the charging unit and the charging unit in turn applies a layer of the functional material onto the surface of the photoconductive member. The cleaning unit is disposed in contact with a surface of the charging unit to clean the charging unit and reduce contamination of a surface of the delivery unit. The cleaning unit is disposed in an upstream direction of the delivery roller relative to a rotation direction of the charging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Sarah J. Vella, Gregory McGuire, Gaetano Lavigne, Nan-xing Hu, Johann Junginger
  • Publication number: 20140376965
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photoconductive member and a delivery unit. The delivery unit is disposed in contact with a surface of the photoconductive member to apply a layer of functional materials to the surface of the photoconductive member, wherein a cylindrical axis of the delivery unit is angled with respect to a cylindrical axis of the photoconductive member to increase uniformity of the functional materials layer. An image forming apparatus an electrophotographic photoconductive member, a charging unit and a delivery unit disposed in contact with the surface of the charging unit, wherein the delivery unit applies a layer of functional materials to the surface of the photoconductive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: YU LIU, Sarah J. Vella, Richard Andrew Klenkler, Johann Junginger